What brings me hope

Seeing others’ tenacity and resilience to overcome challenges is inspiring

By Rosalind Tompkins
Special to the Outlook

I remember vividly as a single parent rearing my daughter alone for 17 years of her life. It was hard to make ends meet even with a college degree. During particularly difficult occasions my mother and stepfather helped out and I don’t know how we would have made it otherwise. There were times when there was nothing in the refrigerator but ice. On top of that I was a babe in recovery from drugs and alcohol after a 12-year addiction. It was only by the grace of God that my daughter and I made it.

That is why when Margaret Franklin, Administrator of Franklin Academy called and shared that one of Mothers In Crisis’ former clients, LaSandra Simmons was graduating and getting her GED after 10 years of trying, I knew that I had to attend the ceremony to encourage her in her journey of hope. 

I first met LaSandra, who is the single mother of 10 children, (nine sons and one daughter) when Mothers In Crisis had the Women Helping Women jail outreach. We would go and hold weekly sessions with the women inmates at the Leon County Jail and LaSandra attended the classes. Upon release she started attending Mothers In Crisis’ parenting classes. That was 17 years ago. She was also in recovery from drugs and told Mrs. Franklin that Mothers In Crisis helped to change her life. That is why Mrs. Franklin called us to let us know about her graduation. 

While at the graduation, I noticed that LaSandra was not dressed in her cap and gown like the other graduates. Upon inquiry we found out that she was feeling down and did not want to participate in the ceremony. Fortunately, we came prepared with a gift bag of hope. It contained my book, “As Long As There Is Breath In Your Body, There Is Still Hope,” a Practice of Hopeology Booklet, a stress brain ball, a wind chime, a miniature light, a flag of hope, and a button that says, “Hope Pass It On.”

We stepped outside of the graduation, and I presented her with each item and told her the significance of each symbol of hope and then autographed her book. She was filled with gratitude and said, “I am amazed, and I can’t wait to see what the Lord does in my life. I will never give up.” 

Rosalind Tompkins, Ph.D. is author of “As Long As There Is Breath In Your Body, There Is Still Hope,” and other inspirational books. Tompkins is also founder of Turning Point International Church, the Chapel of Mothers In Crisis. She’s also founder of Turning Point International Alliance with ministries and churches in Pakistan, Nepal, Eswatini, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, and St. Vincent in the West Indies.